Speech by Acting Minister-in-charge of Muslim Affairs, Assoc Prof Muhammad Faishal Ibrahim at MUIS Buka Puasa

President of the Republic of Singapore, Mr Tharman Shanmugaratnam,

President MUIS, Haji Mohamed Sa’at Abdul Rahman,

Chief Executive MUIS, Mr Kadir Maideen,

Mufti, Ustaz Dr Nazirudin Mohd Nasir,

Respected religious and community leaders, distinguished guests, ladies and gentlemen,

Assalamualaikum Wr. Wb.

1. It is my honour to welcome our Guest-of-Honour, President Tharman Shanmugaratnam. Mr President, thank you for joining us this evening at Al-Mawaddah Mosque for the annual MUIS Buka Puasa.

2. The MUIS Buka Puasa is a meaningful evening for all of us. It is an opportunity for us to share the blessings of Ramadan and come together with our Zakat beneficiaries and fellow congregants in reflection and unity. Ramadan embodies the spirit of care and compassion. This is also exemplified through Zakat which reminds us of our shared responsibility to one another, so that we may move forward together as one community.

Helping more through Zakat

3. Zakat supports daily living needs, education, healthcare, and pathways to self-reliance. At its heart, it reflects our collective duty as a community to uplift one another and enable everyone to live with dignity, respect, and hope for a better future.

4. Beyond meeting immediate needs, Zakat journeys alongside individuals and families, restoring stability, rebuilding confidence and empowering them to move towards a secure and independent future, knowing that they are supported every step of the way.

5. MUIS has been steadily strengthening Zakat support over the years. This is reflected in our increasing monthly Zakat Financial Assistance, which provides unconditional cash support to help more beneficiaries fulfil their basic needs. It is also complemented by timely additional cash disbursements during Ramadan and year-end period, when many households may face additional financial pressures.

6. In 2025, MUIS disbursed a record $4.3 million in year-end Zakat assistance – reaching over 6,000 families and supporting the educational needs of more than 8,000 children. For families with school-going children, this support is especially meaningful as they prepare for the new school year. It reflects our continued commitment to providing timely support when it matters most.

7. This Ramadan, MUIS will provide further disbursement of $3.5 million of Zakat and $800,000 in fidyah assistance to 10,500 recipients. MUIS will also continue to provide fidyah for meals and groceries so that our asnaf families can worry less about food and proper nutrition. Our mosques will also deliver food to those with mobility challenges and families requiring additional support.

Expanding support

8. In addition to Zakat support, we are exploring new ways to make help more easily accessible and to reach more households. This last mile delivery continues to be essential in ensuring care reaches those who need it. I am glad to see that MUIS continues to work closely with national agencies to complement existing assistance schemes. For example, MUIS is reviewing and aligning our policies such as means testing criteria with national standards so that we can reach out and benefit more households.

9. On the ground, mosques continue to play a vital role in serving the community with care and compassion. I am grateful to note that through the new ZakatSD@mosques initiative, families can approach over 60 mosques for immediate assistance, where mosque officers will then assess their needs and connect them to the right support. I am also heartened to see many mosques, including Al-Mawaddah Mosque, setting up Community Pantries to provide groceries directly to families in need. These efforts reflect the true spirit of care, solidarity and community support.

Strengthened community bonds

10. As we work together to uplift and care for one another, our efforts must be driven by values that unite us in our purpose. This year, SalamSG is guided by three core values: Gratitude, Graciousness and Giving. First started in 2022, it has brought our mosques and communities together through many meaningful events and programmes, anchored on these core values.

11. Gratitude reminds us to acknowledge our blessings and appreciate those who support us every day. Graciousness is reflected in our adab through patience, kindness and respect in our actions. And Giving embodies compassion, ensuring we serve, share and leave no one behind. These values extend beyond Ramadan, serving as a guiding light that strengthens and shapes our collective goals and deeds throughout the year.

12. SalamSG Gives, launched on 7 February, exemplifies these values by bringing together over 100 volunteers at mosques across the north district for distribution efforts. Working alongside mosques in other districts, this initiative will reach more than 500 households throughout Ramadan, helping families experience the joy of Ramadan and the upcoming Hari Raya together with the wider community.

13. I also look forward to other SalamSG Ramadan events, including Quran Hour, the Ramadan Youth Challenge and the Night of Power. I encourage your active participation, and I am confident that these will continue to unite our community, strengthen bonds and encourage participation across all ages during this season of reflection and renewal.

14. Please allow me to address briefly in Malay.

Para hadirin yang saya hormati,

15. Zakat bukan sekadar bantuan kewangan. Ia adalah amanah dan tanda kita saling menjaga satu sama lain. Supaya keluarga yang sedang diuji dapat membina keyakinan serta ketahanan dalam mengharungi kehidupan harian dan meneruskan kehidupan dengan lebih tenang dan bermaruah.

16. Melalui Program Bantuan Kewangan Zakat Bulanan, MUIS menyediakan bantuan tunai tanpa ikatan syarat, bagi membantu para penerima Zakat memenuhi keperluan asas harian mereka. Bantuan ini diperkukuh dengan pengagihan tambahan pada hujung tahun dan sepanjang Ramadan, supaya bantuan sampai tepat pada waktunya untuk meringankan beban mereka.

Pengagihan tambahan

17. Tahun lalu, bantuan Zakat akhir tahun mencatat jumlah tertinggi $4.3 juta, memanfaatkan lebih 6,000 keluarga dan lebih 8,000 kanak-kanak, khususnya keluarga berpendapatan rendah yang mempunyai anak-anak bersekolah.

18. Ramadan ini pula, MUIS akan menyalurkan lagi $3.5 juta wang Zakat dan $800,000 melalui fidyah kepada 10,500 penerima. MUIS juga akan terus menyalurkan sokongan fidyah bagi membantu keperluan harian. Masjid-masjid kita juga akan berkerjasama untuk menhantar bantuaan ini kepada mereka yang kurang berupaya, dan keluarga yang memerlukan sokongan tambahan.

Memperluaskan sokongan

19. Masjid-masjid kita terus memainkan peranan penting dalam menyokong masyarakat. Melalui inisiatif terbaru ZakatSD@mosques, keluarga yang memerlukan kini boleh mendapatkan bantuan melalui lebih 60 masjid di seluruh Singapura, dengan sokongan yang disesuaikan mengikut keperluan mereka.

20. Saya juga terharu melihat masjid-masjid setempat menubuhkan “Community Pantry” untuk menyediakan barangan asas kepada mereka yang memerlukan. Usaha-usaha sebegini mencerminkan keprihatinan dan semangat perpaduan masyarakat kita. Syabas!

Memperkukuh ikatan masyarakat

21. Selain itu, saya juga ingin menzahirkan rasa syukur atas kejayaan inisiatif SalamSG Ramadan, yang dimulakan sejak 2022. Inisiatif ini telah menyatukan masjid-masjid dan masyarakat melalui pelbagai program dan usaha yang merentas usia menghidupkan semangat kebersamaan sepanjang Ramadan.

22. Acara SalamSG Gives yang dianjurkan pada 7 Februari lalu menghimpunkan lebih 100 sukarelawan di masjid-masjid sekitar daerah utara untuk mengagihkan bantuan. Dengan kerjasama masjid-masjid di daerah lain, inisiatif ini memanfaatkan lebih 500 keluarga sepanjang Ramadan. Usaha ini memastikan setiap keluarga dapat menyambut Ramadan dan Hari Raya Aidilfitri dengan tenang dan bermakna.

23. Bersama, marilah kita terus membina sebuah masyarakat Islam Singapura yang kukuh, yakin dan berdaya tahan. Semoga Allah SWT menerima segala amalan ibadah kita pada bulan yang mulia ini, in sya Allah.

24. Izinkan saya akhiri ucapan ini dengan serangkap pantun.

Bulan Ramadan hadir bercahaya
Menyinari hati dengan keimanan
Bersatu kita melangkah bersama
Moga diterima segala amalan

25. Sekian, terima kasih dan Selamat Berbuka Puasa.